D. Development of multimodal imaging probes for theranostics.

Fig. 4. In vitro study of multimodal imaging probe. A. H1_DL2 melanoma brain metastasis cell line is effectively labeled with Dyo-615 (red color). B. Labeling with high doses of the imaging probe (300 ug/mL) for up to 48 hours does not affect the viability of the tumor cells, as demonstrated by using an in vitro Resazurin viability assay.

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It has previously been demonstrated that glycogen as a biodegradable and inexpensive material can be used as a carrier for the construction of in vivo imaging nanoagents (11). The model system considered is composed of glycogen modified with gadolinium and fluorescent labels, and therapeutic compounds can also be attached. In a pilot study, we have shown that several human melanoma metastatic cell lines can be effectively labeled with the imaging probe, without affecting the cellular viability (Fig. 4).

We will now determine the in vivo properties of the probe, using T1 weighted MRI imaging after injection of prelabeled tumor cells into the blood stream of nod/scid mice. We will also conjugate therapeutic compounds (as determined by the work described in Section 3.A) to the nanoprobe. Thereafter we will study the efficacy of tumor cell labeling in vivo, as well as determiming therapeutic efficacy.

18.10.2013